Black Panther was her feature film debut.
Actress Dorothy Steel who played the Merchant Tribe Elder in Black Panther and the approaching continuation, died on October 15 at her home in Detroit. Her cause of death has not been unveiled.
“It’s with a Heavy heart I announce this morning Dorothy Steel transitioned this morning in her hometown of Detroit. That is what she wanted to be home,” her representative, Cindy Butler, affirmed the news through a Facebook post.
“Thank you Ms. Dorothy for giving me the opportunity to ride this wave with you. Thank you for all the Casting Directors who hired Ms. Dorothy. Thank you to the world for loving on her from afar. I received calls from all over the world wanting to interview or do a Bio pic of her life. She was very selective.”
“Per Ms. Dorothy, she told me to tell everyone that arrangements and flowers where to send will be posted via facebook. She was still telling me what to do. That was my Ms.Dorothy. WAKANDAFOREVER,” the post ended.
Steel had recently said that her part in the Marvel follow-up would be her “last role,” according to her publicist. “She went out strong,” the spokesperson said.
Dorothy Steel began pursuing acting at the age of 88. Aside from Black Panther, she was also known for her roles in Jumanji: The Next Level, Daisy winters, The Trouble with Going Somewhere, and Poms.
Reactions to Black Panther Star Dorothy Steel Passed Away
I got to say now that we lost the elder Dorothy Steel. That's 3 people that I'm aware of who passed since the release of the 1st #BlackPanther film in 2018. I hope fans of the character & the 1st film hold on to those moments & create more memories when viewing the next film.🥺
I got to say now that we lost the elder Dorothy Steel. That's 3 people that I'm aware of who passed since the release of the 1st #BlackPanther film in 2018. I hope fans of the character & the 1st film hold on to those moments & create more memories when viewing the next film.🥺 pic.twitter.com/54SECBs681
— RESPECT Jack Kirby (@JerrellZod) October 16, 2021
Rest in Eternal Peace to Ms. Dorothy Steel👸🏾
Rest in Eternal Peace to Ms. Dorothy Steel👸🏾 pic.twitter.com/45KOBxbusv
— LOCAL BLACK GIRL FOR HIRE (@IamNiaRae) October 16, 2021
Rest In Peace Queen Mother… Wakanda Forever
Rest In Peace Queen Mother… Wakanda Forever https://t.co/QkssuxryRr
— Milton Bowens (@miltonfiveten) October 17, 2021
Fly high queen🙏🏽👑
Fly high queen🙏🏽👑 https://t.co/NYzrvFoFri
— Lin Littleton💋 (@LinLittleton) October 16, 2021
Rest In Power, Queen! You lived a FULL life! 🕊
Rest In Power, Queen! You lived a FULL life! 🕊 https://t.co/oT8KbvLGB8
— International Breeze (@GoodLifeBreeze) October 16, 2021
Rest in power, Ms. Dorothy💜💔💔 #wakandaforever
Rest in power, Ms. Dorothy💜💔💔 #wakandaforever https://t.co/HXeBEzMSNB
— Cam✨Sparks of Magic (@camilledashana) October 16, 2021
#BlackPanther thank you for your contribution May she Rest In Peace 🙅🏾♂️🙅🏾♂️
#BlackPanther thank you for your contribution
— Michael Hambrick (@Vigorousmuzic) October 16, 2021
May she Rest In Peace 🙅🏾♂️🙅🏾♂️ https://t.co/n1eEQ2NH1h
May she run with Bast and Sekhmet forever. 🙏🏽
May she run with Bast and Sekhmet forever. 🙏🏽 https://t.co/hfm8aps1XK
— Christoffer Dixon (@The_Chris_Dixon) October 16, 2021
Glad she got to live her dream before she transitioned. Rest In Peace.
Glad she got to live her dream before she transitioned. Rest In Peace. https://t.co/FmsMPIysbZ
— Jordan Starr (@ForMySistas) October 16, 2021
She started acting at 88 and made it into one of the most successful movies of the biggest studio in entertainment right now. Never stop working toward your dreams💜😇 #RIPDorothySteel
She started acting at 88 and made it into one of the most successful movies of the biggest studio in entertainment right now. Never stop working toward your dreams💜😇 #RIPDorothySteel https://t.co/R9EYiS9cIf
— mik ☼ (@frasersmcu) October 16, 2021